2022 Fair entry will open june 1st
Important Dates:
6-1-2022 – 6-25-2022
Fair Entry must be completed for all exhibits of the Martin 4-H County Fair
7-1-2022
All Exhibitors involved in livestock projects must have completed YQCA and submitted certificates
7-1-2022
All Exhibitors showing registered/purebred animals must submit registration papers
Prepare for Fair!
4-H Project drop/add and animal identification was completed on or before May 15/16th. The next step is to identify what you are actually bringing to exhibit at the Martin County Fair! You must go online and log into Fair Entry using your 4honline credentials. Go to Fairentry.com, then “find your fair,” then “Indiana,” then “2022 Martin County 4-H Fair.” ALL PROJECTS, including mini, must be entered by June 25. Call us at 812-295-2412 and we are happy to help.
2022 Martin County 4-H Handbook
Available at https://bit.ly/martin4h22handbook
Printed copies are available by contacting the Extension Office.
Martin County 4-Her: Tucker Mayfield Wins Area III Performing Arts Contest- Musical Division
Tucker Mayfield won the 2022 Martin County 4-H Performing Arts Contest on April 21, 2022 which advanced him to the Area III Contest. On May 13, 2022 the Area III contest was held at Heritage Hills High School in Spencer County, Indiana. Tucker performed a banjo solo and won the musical act division of the contest, making him the 2022 Area III Musical Act Champion. Now Tucker will travel to The Indiana State Fair Contest to perform! Area III contains 11 counties in southwestern Indiana.
4-H Static Project Scorecards: Major Changes for Simplification!
All 2022 4-H scorecards have been reviewed, updated, and posted to the Indiana 4-H Youth Development web site. Visit at: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/projects/index.html
Scorecards are located on individual project pages. A general scorecard is available on the full project listing page. All previously used scorecards are outdated with the exception of some genealogy and some sewing scorecards.
All 4-H leaders, members and families are encouraged to become familiar with scorecards as you work to create 4-H exhibits for the 2022 Martin County 4-H Fair and the Indiana State Fair!
MEET & GREET PROGRAM IN MARTIN COUNTY: Assistant Director of Extension & 4-H Youth Development Program Leader to visit in june
All are invited to attend a local program with Dr. Casey Mull. Topics for the program will include an overview of 4-H Opportunities For All; 4-H Visioning & Connections through Conversation. Members of the State of Indiana 4-H Ambassador Team as well as entertainment from 4-H Performing Arts will be included in the evening.
When: June 28, 2022 at 7:30 pm EST
Where: Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds, Community Building, 2666 US Hwy 50, Loogootee, Indiana
Please RSVP by June 24 by emailing heldd@purdue.edu or call/text 812-887-2783.
Martin County 4-H Cat Project Workshop
Learn about cat resources, prepare for exhibition, and have fun!
When: Monday, June 20 5:15 pm
Where: Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds, Emergency Management Building
Who: Youth participating in the 2022 4-H Cat project and all youth interested in exploring the cat project! Parents/mentors are welcome to attend.
Cost: Free
Questions: Contact Martin County 4-H Cat Department Superintendent Taylor Smith at 812-899-2294 (text or voice) or the Extension Office.
Martin County 4-H Club Meetings
Every 4-H member is invited to all Club Meetings and members are encouraged to be members of multiple clubs.
Dream Team Club
Date Day of the Week Time Location
5-28-22 Saturday 10:00 am Loogootee City Park
6-12-22 Sunday 6:00 pm St. Martin’s Hall
7-2-22 Saturday 10:00 am St. Martin’s Hall
7-10-22 Sunday 6:00 pm Loogootee City Park
7-11-22 Monday 5:30 pm Martin County 4-H
(Records signing during fair set-up) Fairgrounds
Horse & Pony Club
Upcoming meetings dates TBA
Horses welcome with approved horse health certificates and MUST be signed by a licenses Veterinary. Health certificates may be accessed at:
https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/_docs/projects/horse/horse-vaccination-form.pdf
Or hard copy picked up at the Extension Office.
4-H members do NOT need to have a horse to participate in the Horse & Pony Club! New in 2022: 4-H members who DO NOT have their own horse are offered a Mentor Showmanship class.
Jolly Jug Rox Club
Location: Hindostan Church Fellowship Hall
Time: 6:00 pm
Upcoming Dates:
June: Monday June 13 & Monday June 27
July: Tuesday July 5
Jolly Juniors Club
Location: Truelove Church
South on Highway 231
1195 Truelove Church Rd, Loogootee, IN
Time: 6:00 pm
Upcoming Dates:
May: Thursday May 26
June: Monday June 6 & Monday June 20
July: Tuesday July 5
Questions: Call Leader Kathy Lingenfelter at 812-709-1424
Jr. Leaders
TBA
Tractor Club
The 2022 Martin County 4-H Tractor Contest will be Saturday, June 11th 9:00 am at the Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds for all three Tractor Events: Ag Tractor, Lawn & Garden & Zero Turn.
The 2022 Area III 4-H Tractor Contest will be Saturday, June 25th at Warrick County Fairgrounds for all three Tractor Events: Ag Tractor, Lawn & Garden & Zero Turn. Exhibitors must qualify at the county level to progress to the Area Contest. (Rain date: June 26, 2022.)
The 2022 Indiana 4-H Tractor Contest is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 10th for all three Tractor Events: Ag Tractor, Lawn & Garden & Zero Turn. Exhibitors must qualify at the area level to progress to the State Contest.
Statement on Status of Commingling Poultry Events in Indiana from the Indiana Board of Health
(5 May 2022)
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) continues to monitor the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) situation closely, nationally and within the state. Currently, BOAH has not determined a need to cancel events where poultry are commingled, including fairs, exhibitions, and sales.
Based upon standards established by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the majority of Indiana counties continue to hold a HPAI-free status. To stay consistent with those standards, poultry owners outside of designated control areas may continue their normal course of business without additional restrictions.
Current and past HPAI events have lacked evidence that small, hobby flocks have contributed to the spread of the virus.
BOAH staff regularly attend swap meets and sales to enforce state animal health regulations. Poultry brought into Indiana must have a certificate of veterinary inspection or records to prove participation in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which certifies flocks as free of avian influenza.
BOAH continues to encourage all poultry owners, regardless of flock size, to maintain high levels of biosecurity. Anyone who sees clinical signs consistent with HPAI should call:
Updates on the HPAI situation in Indiana are available online at: www.in.gov/boah
Verification of Livestock Breed Status Deadline July 1st
Livestock who are purebred or have other registration papers with exhibitors who wish to show in those respective classes need to provide the properly registered papers by July 1, 2022 to the Extension Office.
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Martin County Program Deadline for Livestock Exhibitors July 1st
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8 to 21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. All youth who exhibit livestock are required to be certified annually. Certification can be obtained at an in-person class or via the online modules.
All youth in Indiana exhibiting an animal (Swine, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Rabbits, and Poultry) at a county or state fair must have completed a Quality Assurance Certification, by July 1, 2021 for Martin County exhibitors.
Washington County Open Sheep Show
When: Saturday, June 4, 2022
Where: Washington County Fairgrounds, 118 Fair St., Salem, IN 47167
Schedule: Check-in 8-10 am; Weigh-in 8:30-10 am; Showmanship starts 12:30 pm; Market classes start 30 minutes after conclusion of showmanship
For more info: Jason Webster, WCSA President, 812-725-5700 or Purdue Extension Washington County 812-883-4601
Indiana State Fair Vet Camps
Vet Camp is an experience for future veterinarians in grades 6th thru 8th or 9th through 12th to provide an opportunity to be the doctor for the day. Youth are invited to spend time learning about animals in a fun way from current veterinary students from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Learn about the educational pathway to veterinary school and how you can prepare for what awaits you as a veterinarian. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to investigate being a veterinarian.
Hands-on sessions include:
Explore blood and placing catheters in animal models
Practice surgery skills by suturing up simulated incisions
Opportunity to look at radiographs (x-rays) to learn what is inside of patients.
What: Junior Vet Camp (grades 6-8) or Senior Vet Camp (grades 9-12)
When: Session are between July 30 – Aug 20
Cost: $40, participants will receive a t-shirt, two admission tickets, and parking pass.
For more information: Stephanie DeCamp 317-927-7566
Pre-registration required.
OISC Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal
The Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project is designed to collect and dispose of suspended, canceled, banned, useable, opened, unopened or just unwanted pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides, etc.) and is being sponsored by the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC). This disposal service is free of charge up to 250 pounds per participant. Over 250 pounds there will be a $2.00 per pound charge. This is a great opportunity for you to legally dispose of unwanted products at little or no cost. Visit oisc.purdue.edu to complete the Clean Sweep Participant Form or email cleansweep@groups.purdue.edu to have a participant form emailed.
Dates/Locations
9 am – 3 pm local time
Aug 16: Ceres Solutions Wabash County, Wabash, IN
Aug 17: Bartholomew County Solid Waste District, Columbus, IN
Aug 18: Daviess County Highway Department, Montgomery, IN
Aug 23: Davis Purdue Agricultural Center Randolph County, Farmland, IN
Aug 24: Co-Alliance Porter County, Valparaiso, IN
Aug 25: Hendricks County Fairgrounds, Danville, IN
Marketing Series for Urban Women Farmers Program
This four-week course will cover many marketing topics for urban women farmers in 90-minute sessions, where 60 minutes will be instruction and 30 minutes will be hands-on application. Participants will learn topics such as: developing a marketing plan, evaluating different marketing outlets for their business, pricing strategies, and which products are the best to market in the location.
When: Every Tuesday May 24 – June 14 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Register online at: https:/puext.in/WomenMarketing2022
For additional information contact: Nikky Witkowski 219-465-3555 nikky@purdue.edu
Annie’s Project: Empowering Women in Agriculture Program
This six-week course is a discussion-based workshop brining women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing and the legal field.
When: June 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, and 23 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: $65 for all 6 virtual sessions.
Register at https://bit.ly/2022anniesproject by May 27
For more info contact Kelly Heckaman kheckaman@purdue.edu or Emily Luc eluc@purdue.edu 574-372-2340
Managing Farm Risk Webinar Series
Join an experienced team of Extension educators, specialists, faculty, and a lawyer as we present the Managing Farm Risk Webinar Series. This series will encompass techniques and tips to mitigate, transfer, and avoid risks in production, marketing, financial, legal, human resources, and social media.
When: Wednesdays, May 25 – June 29, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register at: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5w1ImQNzKc3JFxY
Urban and Small Farm Soil Health Conference for Growers & Ag Professionals
DIG IN and GET THE DIRT on soils and soil health! This is a full-day conference training for conservation and agricultural professionals working with urban and small farms, vegetable growers, and diversified farms. Growers are also welcome to attend. Learn about microbiology, soil contamination, farmer projects, new NRCS programs for small farms, and more.
When: Thursday, June 2, 2022, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Register: https://bit.ly/get-the-dirt
Purdue Fast Start for Indiana Students
One way to earn admission into Purdue University is through Fast Start. Indiana Students can take the Modern States online courses for free. Those who pass a minimum of five corresponding College Board CLEP exams and meet Purdue’s standard admission requirements are assured admission to Purdue and designated Klinsky Scholars. CLEP testing centers are now open along with online options. The Purdue Extension Martin County office staff are available to help local students access this opportunity!
Dr. Temple Grandin: In Person Program in Daviess County
When: Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Where: Washington High School, 608 E Walnut St, Washington, IN
Daviess-Martin Special Education Cooperative & the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Presenting Two Workshops:
The Importance of Good Stockmanship 10:30 am – 11:30 am
This presentation is free and is geared toward members of Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, and others involved in the livestock industry. Temp will share her experience and expertise in livestock handling and management. No cost to attend.
Developing Different Kinds of Minds 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
This workshop is geared for school personnel, early childhood educators, adult providers, others involved in supporting someone on the autism spectrum, family members, and those who are neurodiverse. Temple will discuss her experiences, and her perspectives on leading a meaningful life. There is a nominal cost for this presentation for non-Washington School District Employees of $15 USD.
For more details, visit: https://iidc.indiana.edu/irca/news-and-events/temple-grandin.html
Sponsored and hosted by the Daviess-Martin Special Education Cooperative & the Indiana Resource Center for Autism
First Report of the Invasive Asian Needle Ant in Indiana
By: Tim Gibb, Insect Diagnostician and Extension Specialist, Purdue University
Sean Knickerbocker, Entomology Student, Purdue University
Austin Heckelsberg, Insect Naturalist/Photographer, Evansville, IN
Two ant specimens taken from a wooded area in southern Indiana by an astute amateur entomologist, who observed their appearance and behavior as ‘out of the ordinary’, were submitted to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and to the Purdue University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory for species identification in February, 2022. Both were confirmed to be Formicidae: Brachyponera chinensis, commonly known as the Asian needle ant, not previously recorded from Indiana.
Asian needle ants (ANAs), originally from Eastern Asia (China, Japan, and Korea), were first discovered in the United States in the early 1930s, but only recognized as a pest since 2006. They have been officially established in several states in the U.S. including North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia and, have been anecdotally reported as far north and west as New York, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Since this first officially-recorded find in a private wetland area near Evansville Indiana, independent colonies of ANAs have been found in surrounding locations, including private parks, urban residences and public recreational areas, suggesting that they are now an established species in our state, rather than a single incidence.
All ANA colonies found in Indiana to date are in moist and shaded, mature wooded areas; in the soil or on the ground under old logs, stumps and decaying plant debris. One sample was found in association with an active subterranean termite colony. From information published in North Carolina(1), such habitats are most commonly invaded by ANA.
Asian needle ants are similar in appearance to both our common odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile) and the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) but differ by; 1) having a prominent stinger that protrudes from the lower, rear abdomen when in use, 2) having reddish tinted legs, mouthparts, antennae and stinger, in contrast to the darker black/brown colored body, and 3) being significantly larger (4-5 mm) in length. Colony populations range from hundreds up to a thousand individuals.
Impact: The potential impact of any new insect invader is important and must be carefully assessed by authorities in each state. The Asian needle ant has now become a resident pest in Indiana and it can sting people. Pest managers and public health officials should expect stings to be much like those from a fire ant or wasp; painful burning sensation with the potential to cause more severe reactions in hypersensitive and susceptible individuals, but not normally causing a blister. Fortunately, human interactions with this ant have demonstrated that these ants are much less aggressive than fire ants and because colonies are smaller, the number of stings per encounter is less(2). Even though ANAs may occur in areas commonly frequented by people, including parks, recreational areas, and residential areas, people have normally reported stings only when inadvertently coming in direct contact with the ant such as by picking up logs, stones or when placing bare hands in older mulch piles, or under trees or landscape timbers that have been in contact with soil.
Behaviorally, ANAs are relatively cold tolerant which allows them to emerge earlier in the spring and affords them a competitive advantage over other ants. In addition, they are predatory opportunists, feeding on other insects including termites and other ant colonies. These advantages are especially concerning when considering their potentially negative ripple effect in established ecosystems as they displace native ant species, affect ecosystem balance and biodiversity, interfere with natural organic matter decomposition, reduce pollinator efficacy, and disrupt plant seed dispersal.
Future: It is likely that this ant will spread throughout the state in due course. It’s ability to disperse very rapidly as well as ‘hitch-hike’ has been documented in North Carolina. ANA’s range there now includes areas with high mountain altitudes, suggesting that wintertime temperature extremes in Indiana will not limit its natural spread.
Professional pest managers may expect ANAs to infest natural, commercial and residential sites, sometimes including homes, where commonly used sugar-based baiting strategies will not be effective.
Response: After careful consideration and discussion by Indiana authorities it has been determined that only a basic monitoring program, to delimit ANAs current distribution in the state, is the best course of action at this time. Consideration points included the fact that this ant is not an overly aggressive stinger when compared to other stinging insects, it has already successfully invaded Indiana, control efforts in out-of-door environments are sensitive and have been only marginally effective in other states, and the cost of eradication attempts vs potential for success is high. We therefore invite environmentalists, landscape managers, pest management professionals, and entomologists of all levels to be aware of this new invasive ant and report locations of any new finds to the Cooperative Extension Service.
Note: This information has been broadcast through mass media (television, radio newspaper and on social
media), announced in formal meetings of the Indiana and Michigan Professional Urban Pest Management, Indiana Professional Lawn and Landscape Management Associations, the Indiana Vector Control Association Annual Meeting as well as, via this bulletin, to the Indiana Cooperative Extension Service.
References:
https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/asian-needle-ant
https://uknow.uky.edu/research/new-stinging-ant-species-could-cause-problems-kentuckians